Clobetasone Butyrate is a moderately potent form of corticosteroid. Topical steroids are used alongside various other treatments, including moisturisers, to treat inflammatory conditions that affect the skin, such as dermatitis and eczema. When a topical steroid is used, it can help to calm various skin problems, eczema and dermatitis that make the skin itch and cause redness.Clobetasone Butyrate can relieve the symptoms of a flare-up of skin conditions by reducing itching, inflammation and redness. Although this medication will not cure the condition or prevent it from happening again, it will ensure that you have some relief from the symptoms.Although less potent itchy skin creams are often prescribed for children, it may be possible to have a small amount of this medication prescribed for a child by a specialist.Clobetasone Butyrate ointment addresses the skin inflammation that happens when the irritation of your skin causes substances to be released that cause the blood vessels to widen and the irritated area to become swollen and itchy. Clobetasone Butyrate acts within the skin cells to stop the release of inflammatory substances. This reduces the itching and swelling caused by various skin issues.Clobetasone Butyrate ointment is greasier than the cream version of this medication, and therefore it is often more suitable for dry and scalier areas of skin. Moist or weepy skin is generally more likely to be prescribed the cream version of Clobetasone Butyrate.
Clobetasone Butyrate
What is Clobetasone Butyrate?
Clobetasone Butyrate is a steroid cream that contains the active ingredient Clobetasone Butyrate. This is a form of moderately potent topical corticosteroid. The medication is intended for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, and issues that cause symptoms like scaling, swelling, redness, itching and pain.
A brand name for this itchy skin cream is Eumovate cream (Clobetasone Butyrate).
What is Clobetasone Butyrate used for?
Clobetasone Butyrate is a moderately potent form of corticosteroid. Topical steroids are used alongside various other treatments, including moisturisers, to treat inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis and eczema that make the skin itch and cause redness.
Clobetasone Butyrate can relieve the symptoms of a flare-up of skin conditions by reducing itching, inflammation and redness. Although this medication will not cure the condition or prevent it from happening again, it will ensure that you have some relief from the symptoms. Although less potent itchy skin creams are often prescribed for children, it may be possible to have a small amount of this medication prescribed for a child by a specialist.
Clobetasone Butyrate ointment addresses the skin inflammation that happens when the irritation of your skin causes substances to be released that cause the blood vessels to widen and the irritated area to become swollen and itchy. Clobetasone Butyrate acts within the skin cells to stop the release of inflammatory substances. This reduces the itching and swelling caused by various skin issues.
Clobetasone Butyrate ointment is greasier than the cream version of this medication, and therefore it is often more suitable for dry and scalier areas of skin. Moist or weepy skin is generally more likely to be prescribed the cream version of Clobetasone Butyrate.
When is Clobetasone Butyrate used?
Clobetasone Butyrate cream and ointment are both commonly prescribed by doctors and consultants to relieve conditions like eczema that cause inflammation and make the skin itch. Short courses of this medication may sometimes be prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis. However, it is important not to use this medication for extended periods of time when treating psoriasis.
Clobetasone Butyrate comes in branded creams that can also contain antibacterial agents alongside topical steroids. You may be given this medication if your skin has become infected and the infection needs to be addressed along with the initial problem.
Your doctor may sometimes prescribe Clobetasone Butyrate as a maintenance solution to help stop eczema and other issues from flaring up after they have been addressed with a stronger form of topical cream. Additionally, you may be asked to take this medication as part of a combined treatment. This means that you will use it with other medications and moisturisers to reduce your risk of symptoms from common skin conditions over time.
How to use Clobetasone Butyrate
It is always important to listen carefully to the instructions given by a doctor or consultant before you begin using itchy skin creams. Read through the patient leaflet that comes with your Clobetasone Butyrate because this will give you some useful information about how the cream or ointment works, and how you can apply it to reduce your chances of side effects.
You should only apply this medication directly to the affected area of the skin. Clobetasone Butyrate should never be taken by mouth or applied to close to the mouth or eyes. If you get this medication in your mouth or eyes, make sure that you rinse the area thoroughly with water.
Before applying Clobetasone Butyrate, make sure that the skin that you are treating, and your hands are clean. Pat the area of inflamed skin dry carefully to avoid breaking the skin. Apply a small and thin layer of Clobetasone Butyrate to the affected skin and massage it gently until the cream or ointment has disappeared. Do not apply Clobetasone Butyrate to any areas of infected skin unless you have been advised particularly to do so.
Your doctor will inform you of how often you should apply this cream or ointment. If you are using more than one topical steroid or cream for your treatment, you will need to ask your consultant or doctor how and when to take each medication. After you have applied Clobetasone Butyrate, wash your hands thoroughly, unless the area to be treated is your hands. If you are using Clobetasone Butyrate for psoriasis, do not use it on large amounts of skin for long periods of time.
What is the correct dosage for Clobetasone Butyrate cream and ointment?
Clobetasone Butyrate can come in different dosages depending on the reason for your treatment and the condition you need to address. Your consultant or doctor will tell you how much of this cream you should apply and how long you should use the substance. Usually, you should not apply Clobetasone Butyrate more than twice a day. Once per day is sufficient for most people.
The amount of steroid that you can apply to your skin will usually be measured in fingertip units – which refers to the amount of cream that covers your fingertip between the top of the finger and the first crease in your finger. A single fingertip unit can cover twice the area covered by an adult hand. You will need to make sure that you don’t use too much of this medication on a large patch of skin.
Remember that using more Clobetasone Butyrate than prescribed will not cause your symptoms to disappear faster, but it could mean that you’re more likely to suffer from side effects.
Does Clobetasone Butyrate have any side effects?
Clobetasone Butyrate cream and ointment and other itchy skin creams can sometimes cause side effects alongside their intended effects. Although not everyone who uses this medication will experience side effects, it is important to be aware of the different ways that your body can respond to medication. Reading the patient leaflet will give you a more complete overview of the common side effects associated with Clobetasone Butyrate.
Usually, Clobetasone Butyrate cream and ointment will be well tolerated and not cause any side effects when you ensure that you follow the instructions carefully on how to apply this medicine and how much to use. If you experience some slight issues like burning or discomfort at the application site of the medication, then you should notice that these discontinue by themselves after a while when your body gets used to the medication.
If you apply Clobetasone Butyrate excessively or more than twice per day for an extended period of time, then you might begin to notice side effects that are commonly associated with the overuse of topical steroids, such as skin thinning. You can also experience uncommon hair growth and stretch marks, although these conditions are very rare.
Importantly, children are often more susceptible to the possible side effects caused by topical steroids. If a child needs frequent courses of topical steroids it is possible that the medication could have an impact on the way that growth hormones are released in their bodies. This is why Clobetasone Butyrate is only prescribed to children by specialists, and for short periods of time.
An allergic reaction to Clobetasone Butyrate is very rare, however, it is always important to watch out for any signs that you are reacting negatively to a medication. Allergic reactions can cause swelling of the tongue, lips and throat, as well as dizziness, and trouble breathing. If you experience any of these side effects seek emergency medical attention and stop using Clobetasone Butyrate. If you notice any other side effects not listed here and you are concerned, speak to a medical professional like a doctor or a pharmacist.
When should you not use Clobetasone Butyrate cream or ointment?
Clobetasone Butyrate will not be suitable for all people or all conditions. You will need to answer the questions asked by your consultant carefully and truthfully when using this medication, to ensure that it is right for you. For instance, you cannot apply Clobetasone Butyrate if you are allergic to any of the active or inactive ingredients in the medication. Let your consultant know about any allergies you have, even if you don’t think they are relevant.
Clobetasone Butyrate should not be applied to infected skin or open wounds. You should not use Clobetasone Butyrate on skin that is affected by viral infections like chickenpox, or bacterial infections like impetigo. It is important to avoid using Clobetasone Butyrate on acne, or fungal skin infections like thrush and ringworm. Do not use Clobetasone Butyrate on an inflammatory rash around your mouth, or rashes around the groin.
Does Clobetasone Butyrate interact with other medications?
Clobetasone Butyrate and other medications can sometimes interact poorly with other substances that you might be taking. It is important to tell your consultant about any other medications, including itchy skin creams, that you are using, as well as those that have come with a prescription from your doctor, medications obtained over the counter, and herbal supplements.
If you need to use other topical medications on the same patch of skin when you are using Clobetasone Butyrate you will need to leave several minutes between applying both medications to stop the substances from combining on the skin.
If you are using a moisturiser with Clobetasone Butyrate, make sure that you leave about thirty minutes before applying Clobetasone Butyrate after you use your moisturiser. This will help to improve the absorption of your topical corticosteroid.
Where can you buy Clobetasone Butyrate?
Clobetasone Butyrate is available to buy safely online if suggested by your doctor and following a professional consultation. You can have your medication at a local pharmacy within 3 working days.
Can I get Clobetasone Butyrate without a prescription?
Clobetasone Butyrate and other corticosteroids are generally not available without a prescription.
Sources
Medicines.org.uk, 2019, online, “Eumovate Cream” [Accessed 18th of December 2019], Available on: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3807/smpc
NHS, online, 2019, “Clobetasone”, [Accessed 18th of December 2019], Available on: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/clobetasone/
Nice, online, 2019, “CLOBETASONE BUTYRATE” [Accessed 18th of December 2019], Available on: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/clobetasone-butyrate.html